Carton liner for molded edibles and method of folding



c. DOERING I 2,297,946

CARTON LINER FOR MOLDED EDIBLES AND METHOD OF,FOLDING Oct. 6, 194 2.-

Filed Oct. 23, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ll U IN VE N TOR. RLES' 0o Flue,

'ATTORNE Y.

Oct. 6, 1942. Q DQERING 2,297,946

CARTON LINER FOR MOLDED EDIBLES AND METHOD OF FOLDING Filed Oct. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ummnnuun INV'EN TOR.

Patented Oct. 6, 1942 CARTON LINER FOR MOLDED EDIBLES AND METHOD OF FOLDING Charles Doering, Chicago, Ill., assignor of onehalf to Henry H. Doering, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 23, 1939, Serial No. 300,702

\ 10 Claims.

This invention relates to carton liners and more particularly to improved protecting covers for edibles such as cheese and the like, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved transparent carton liner together with a method of folding so as to render filling more practical without impairment to the sales appeal of the contents in sharp cornered regions Where imperfections usually occur in the filling operation.

Transparent package liners for edibles are becoming increasingly popular, but they reveal inherent imperfections in the contents in sharp cornered regions of the package where smoothness and uniformity is not possible under all conditions. This is especially true in the packaging of edibles such as cheese that are poured into a lined carton which serves as a mold therefor, since the sharp corners of the substantially rec- I tangular box-like formation precludes perfection in the sharp cornered regions where there usually is an "interruption in the solid continuity of the contents.

For example, cheese that is poured into a lined carton will present irregularities along the corners to an extent that considerable sales resistance is presented. This is accountable to the formation of gases and the emission of air during the cooling of the contents for conversion into a substantially solid state. Even with other fillers, it is difficult or impossible to procure a uniform sharp corner formation of the constituents of the carton so that the concealment of the corners without impairing the appearance of the carton or its liner is highly advantageous.

Then, too. transparent sheet materials are not capable of being uniformly folded during the filling and packaging operation in that they are subject to wrinkles and imperfections unless carefully folded. In production operations, the exercise of extreme care is usually very costly in packaging operations so that simplicity of liner construction and ready folding into a uniform enclosure are important factors in rendering the useof transparent package liners fully advantageous from a practical standpoint.

One object of the present invention is to pro- Still another object is to simplify and improve package liners prepared from thin transparent sheet material to avoid wrinkling and to provide an effective enclosure for edibies and the like.

A further object is to provide an improved transparent package liner having corner concealing regions provided thereon.

A still further object is to provide an improved method of forming and folding package liners so as to avoidwrinkling and to enable the formation of edible enclosures without entailing much labor or time.

Still a further object is to provide partiallly formed package liners that are completed during production filling operations.

An additional object is to provide an improved package liner of thin transparent material that is readily folded to form an edible enclosure without entailing any appreciable labor or time.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of an envelope expanding machine utilized in rendering a fiat envelope readily foldable into a carton liner.

Figure 2 is an end view in elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a completed,

package liner embodying features of the present invention, the envelopes being shown in relatively open relation before sealing the contents therein. Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a package" liner with the contents sealed.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a corner notching device utilized in rendering a flat envelope foldable to present a rectangular box-like configu ration.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of the device shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIIIVIII of Figure 6.

showing the first step of conversion after reforming by the corner notching devices shown in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the initial flat envelope prior to being corner notched in a manner illustrated in Figure 10.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of thin sheet material I!) that is initially folded upon itself along a median line H to present adjacent top edges I2l3 and adjacent side edges I4-l5 and Iii-I1. The sheet material H! is preferably though not essentially of transparent material which has adhesive properties under pressure or with-the application of heat. To this end, the transparent sheet material I8 is provided with a dry adhesive which is normally non-sticky and responds to pressure or heat to render such adhesive effective for its intended purpose. The initial size of the rectangular sheet In varies in that it corresponds with the eventual rectangular box-like liner that is to be fitted into a carton of any suitable construction. ,The initial step is to seal the side edges l4--l5 and I6--l| with the application of pressure or heat to form a fiat envelope (Figures 10 and 11). The rectangular sheet I preferably though not essentially of thin transparent sheet material is first imprinted with the desired descriptive matter.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, normally related opaque bands IS, in thisinstance four, extend along the width of the sheet ID for intersection with bands IS, in this instance two, that extend along the length of the rectangular sheet ID for any desired spaced relation to define the corner regions of the completed notched liner 20 (Figure In consequence thereof, the transparent sheet 20 is provided with opaque bands I8 and 19 (Figure 5) that conceal the contents of the liner 2!] in the region of their corners that usually are imperfectly formed during the filling operation. This is a decided advantage in that a more appealing package is possible and the consumer is not troubled with immaterial imperfections that otherwise would result in the return of the package to the vendor.

Further, the sale of bulk merchandise such as cheese in smaller units to the consumer is often a diflicult transaction from the standpoint of severing the desired quantity therefrom. As a result, the merchant must guess at the size of the unit that is called for in terms of weight by the consumer and this presents the difficult dispensing of such commodities which entails much time, and labor. To overcome this difficulty, it has been found advantageous to provide imprinted lines 2| disposed transversely of the initial rectangular sheet I0 for permanent impression thereon between the side edges thereof. The transverse lines 2| are spaced to designate the units of weight of the contents that are disposed therebetween so that the vendor can accurately slice the desired unit quantity from the mass. The desired portion may be removed very readily along a straight and sharp line without resorting to guess or entailing any appreciable care, since the mass can be sliced with a knife or other severing instrumentalities along any line to segregate a unit or quantity of the product. The weight designating lines 2| may be embossed of otherwise impressed in the sheet In at the time the desired printed'matter together with the corner bands |8-l8 are provided thereon so that a single operation will provide the desired markings on the surface of the sheet I0 after conversion into a liner.

As stated supra, the first step is to convert the rectangular sheet l0 into a fiat envelope open at its edges l2l3 and closed along the sides Il|4-I5 and l6l'l. These fiat envelopes ID are furnished to the packagers in this form or in a semi-complete condition for refolding during the packaging of the contents as will appear more fully hereinafter. The next step of affording corner folding is effected by providing angular notches 22 and 23 in the fiat envelope l0 proximate to the side edges l4--l5 and lG-l'l thereof for alignment with the bands iii to insure the correct folding so that the corners will. be along a median line of the opaque bands |8-l9. The

corner notches 22-23 facilitate manual folding to assume the interior proportions of the carton serving as its exterior; however, with the use of automatic filling machinery, the flat envelope l0 neednot be notched as a step preliminary to liner insertion and folding to occupy a carton preparatory to automatic filling machine operations. Automatic filling machine operations include the expanded folding of the liner envelope ID without the aid of the notches 22-23, since the liner envelope i0 is re-folded with machine precision coincident to filling the liner interior to assume the shape of the supporting carton.

These angular notches 2223 may be impressed therein by a correspondingly shaped punch 24 fixed to a ram 25 that is reciprocally guided by brackets 26 constituting a part of frame member 21. The frame member 21 has a platen 28 that is supported by a suitable base 28 at the desired elevation. As shown,'the platen 28 has a die 30 corresponding in shape with the punch 24 so that a plurality of fiat envelopes l0 may be received upon the supporting surface 3| of the platen 28 so that the angular corners 22-23 may be punched in a plurality of superposed fiat envelopes l0 responsive to the forced descent of the ram 25. The ram 25 is manipulated by a pitman rod 32 operatively connected at one extremity thereto as at 33 while the other extremity is pivotally connected as at 34 to a foot lever 35 which, in turn, is pivoted as at 36 to a boss 31.

A spring 38 has one extremity anchored as at 39 to the frame member 21 while the other extremity is anchored to a collar 40 that is adjustably associated with the pitman rod 33 for the selected connection thereto by means of a set screw 4|. It will be apparent, therefore, that the corner notches 2223 can be impressed in the flat envelopes In at any desired position for communication with the open edges I2-|3 thereof to define the side flap 42-43 and end flaps 44-45 (Figure 3) of the package liner 20.

Prior to reforming the fiat envelope [8 for conversion into a box-like rectangular liner 20 serving as an insert for a correspondingly shaped carton 46, the envelope I0 is telescoped over a vertically disposed rectangular plate member 41 that cooperates with a relatively movable rectangular member 48 pivoted as at 49 to an int-ermediate member 50. The vertically disposed stationary member 41 is mounted on brackets 5| that are sustained by a table member 52. The correspondingly shaped plate member 48 is supported by spaced links 53 connected as at 54 to stationary links 55 that are horizontally disposed for attachment to the table member 52, thereby rendering the plate member 48 displaceable relative to the stationary plate member 41.

The displacement of the plate 48 is effected by means of a pitman rod 58 that is anchored to a plate 51 hinged to a pintle 58 carried between the side flanges 59 of the intermediate member liner 20.

50. Any foot pedal actuator member similar to the pedal member 35 shown in conjunction with the punch 24, may be utilized to actuate the pitman rod 56 so as to displac the plate member 48 relative thereto to assume a parallel spaced position relative to the stationary plate member 41 with the intermediate plate member 50 assuming a horizontal position therebetween, while the flat envelope I is intended in consequence thereof to assume a substantially rectangular box-like shape. posed thereover to receive the contents within the flat envelope ID that has been refolded into a rectangular box-like carton liner 20 with the flaps 42-43 and 44-45 projecting from the carton 46. After the liner 20 has been filled with its contents such as plastic cheese at an elevated temperature, the flaps 42-43 and 44-45 are wrapped in the customary manner to hermetically seal the contents (Figure Thereupon, an enclosure is telescoped over the carton 46 and the package is ready for marketing with its contents.

It will thus be apparent that with the instrumentalities constituting the expander for the fiat envelope III, he latter is refolded to provide folds along a longitudinal median line of the bands |8-l9 to define the corners of the carton Should commercial practice so dictate, the thin transparent sheet material l0 may have normally sticky characteristics when subjected to heat which is evolved by plastic cheese that is poured in the liner 20. This would render the fiaps 42-43 and 44-45 self-adhering to hermetically seal the contents and improve the keeping qualities thereof.

Numerous types of thin transparent sheet material having sticking qualities under elevated temperatures may be utilized after first forming the fiat envelopes l0 and'then reforming in the rectangular box-like carton liners 20 to enable the hermetic sealing of the contents therein so that the carton 46 merely serves as a support for the liner 20. Under certain conditions and with different types of contents, the carton 46 may [be dispensed with and the rectangular box-like liner 20 utilized as the primary package to seal and retain the contents.

It will be apparent that a very simple, effective and inexpensive package and/or liner has been provided that can be effectively used in packaging edibles such as cheese and the like. Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages or features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construedas limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof, except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A carton liner for rectangular packages comprising a rectangular sheet of material folded upon itself to provide a creased bottom line and joined by sealing at its side edges to define an open envelope having unsealed top adjacent edges, there being aligned cut-outs in 'the flat double folded sheet communicating with said top adjacent edges to provide top fiaps for the open side of said envelope when creased to define F a carton liner.

2. A carton liner for rectangular packages comprising a rectangular sheet of material folded upon itself and joined by sealing at its side edges to define an open envelope having unsealed top Thereupon, the carton 45 is disadjacent edges, there being aligned angular cutouts in the fiat double folded sheet'for communication with the open double edge thereof to provide top flaps for the open side of said envelope when sealed to define a carton liner.

3. A carton liner for rectangular packages comprising a rectangular sheet of material folded upon itself and joined by sealing at its side edges to define an open envelope having unsealed top adjacent edges, there being aligned angular cut-outs in the fiat double folded sheet for communication with the open double edge thereof, and fold lines connecting the corners of said angular cut-outs to-provide overlapping top fiaps for the open side of said envelope when creased to define a carton liner.

4. A carton liner for rectangular packages comprising a rectangular transparent sheet of material folded upon itself and joined by sealing at its side edges to define an open envelope having unsealed top adjacent edges, there being aligned cut-outs in the fiat double folded sheet to provide top flaps for the open side of said envelope when creased to define a carton liner, and opaque intersecting corner bands impressed upon said transparent sheet material to concealthe contents therebeneath.

5. A carton liner for rectangular packages comprising a rectangular transparent sheet of material folded upon itself and joined at its edges to define an Open envelope, there being aligned angular cut-outs in the flat double folded sheet for communication with the open double edge thereof, fold lines connecting the corners of said angular cut-outs to provide top flaps for the open side of said envelope, and opaque intersecting corner bands impressed upon said transparent-sheet material to conceal the contents therebeneath.

6. A method of forming a carton liner which consists in folding a rectangular sheet of material upon itself, sealing the side edges of said double folded sheet to define a fiat envelope, then impressing cut-outs in said double folded envelopes in communication with the open double edge thereof, then expanding said envelope to reform the fold lines therein for defining a rectangular box-shape liner, and folding over the liner portions for the extent of said cut-outs to define enclosing flaps.

7. A method of forming a carton liner which consists in folding a rectangular sheet of material upon itself, sealing the side edges of said double folded sheet to define a fiat envelope, then impressing angular double cut-outs in said double folded envelopes proximate to the sealed side edges thereof in communication with the open double edge thereof, then expanding said envelope to reform the fold lines therein for defining a rectangular box-shape liner, and folding over the liner portions for the extent of said cutouts to define enclosing overlapping flaps.

8. A method of forming a carton liner which consists in imprinting a transparent thin rectangular sheet of material with intersecting opaque corner defining bands, folding said rectangular sheet of material upon itself, sealing the side edges of said double folded sheet to define a flat envelope, then impressing cut-outs in said double folded envelopes in alignment with the upstanding corner defining bands in communication with the open double edge thereof, thenexpanding said envelope to reform the fold lines therein for defining a rectangular boxshape liner, and folding over the liner portions for the extent of said cut-outs to define enclosing flaps.

9. A transparent carton liner that is not selfsustaining nor form-retaining which initially comprises a transparent flat sheet adapted to be creased to define a rectangular box-shape liner, and. opaque bands impressed on said transparent liner to conceal the contents along the corners in said fully creased content liner.

10. A transparent carton liner that is not selfsustaining nor form-retaining which initially comprises a. flat envelope creased to define a rectangular box-shape liner, and opaque intersecting corner bands imprinted on said liner to conceal the contents along the corners in said fully creased content liner.

CHARLES DOERING. 

